Collecting ballots in Afghanistan
30 September 2005 -- The European Union today raised concerns over vote fraud in Afghanistan, where counting continues after landmark legislative elections.

In a statement today, the EU election observation mission in Kabul said some provinces had seen ballot stuffing, proxy voting, and possible intimidation of voters.

While not nationwide, it said the problem is a "cause for concern" and called on the UN-backed Afghan electoral body to address the problem "in a transparent and effective way in order to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process."

The EU body of 120 observers who monitored the Afghan polls on 18 September continues to oversee counting in 32 centers across the country.

More than half the votes have been counted. Initial results are expected next week, with the final results to be announced after a two-week complaints period.

(AP/AFP)

[For full RFE/RL coverage of the recent elections, along with background and explainers, see our dedicated Afghanistan Votes page.]